American Historical Ephemera and Photography Online

MILES, Nelson A. "Official copy" of a recommendation to confer brevet rank upon Lieutenant Marion P. MAUS for gallant services in the Indian campaigns, secretarially signed ("NA Miles MG") as Major General Commanding. Countersigned by H.C. Conlin, Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters Division of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, 29 August 1890. 1p, 8 x 10 1/2 in. (losses at bottom right and lower left edge, toning, wear).

Miles recommends Maus for brevet for "gallant" action during the campaign against the Nez Perce in September 1877, and in the 1 October 1877 battle with them near Bear Paw Mountain during which engagement Maus "exposed his life fearlessly at various times, especially in exchanging under my direction and personal supervision, Chief Joseph for an officer who had ventured in the Indian camp...."
Miles also recommends Maus for brevet for "heroic action" in an engagement with Geronimo's band in Mexico in January 1886, noting that "After the death of Captain [Emmet] Crawford, Lieutenant Maus took command of the expedition, which, under the most difficult and trying circumstances, he conducted back to the United States with marked skill and ability."

Marion Perry Maus (1850-1930) was an 1874 graduate of West Point and career military officer who participated in some of the most consequential Indian Campaigns of the American West. As Chief of Scouts under Col. Nelson A. Miles he participated in the pursuit and capture of Chief Joseph in 1877. As commander of the Apache scouts in 1885-1886 he participated in the expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Geronimo and in the "Crawford Affair" during which armed conflict erupted between Mexican soldiers and U.S. Army forces and Captain Emmet Crawford was killed. Though Miles's 1890 recommendation for brevet included statements of Maus's bravery in both campaigns, Maus ultimately received the Congressional Medal of Honor for "Most distinguished gallantry in action with hostile Apaches led by Geronimo and Natchez" on 11 January 1886. He was presented the award on 27 November 1894.